ISD to hold engagement sessions with migrant workers following Bangladeshi preacher’s extremist sermon

SINGAPORE: The Internal Security Department (ISD) has planned a series of engagement sessions with migrant workers, it said on Saturday (Aug 24). 

Such sessions will include those who attended an illegal and extremist sermon by Bangladeshi preacher Amir Hamza earlier this month, the agency said in response to queries from CNA. 

The sessions are to “sensitise them to the dangers of extremist and segregationist teachings propagated by such foreign radical preachers”, ISD added. 
 
They will be held in the coming weeks, and ISD will work with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and partners like the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG).

Additional resources are accessible via the RRG’s Resource and Counselling Centre for those who require clarifications on religious concepts and counselling services, ISD added. 

THE ILLEGAL SERMON

Amir was arrested by the Bangladesh government in 2021 for terrorism-related activities. He was reportedly released on bail in December last year while awaiting trial.

He arrived in Singapore using a passport with a different name. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said ISD was aware of Amir's background, but “did not have his biometrics at the time of his entry”.

Amir conducted a sermon on for migrant workers on Aug 9 at dormitory Lantana Lodge in Tuas, where he labelled non-Muslims as infidels, and also politicised his message.

He left the country a day later.

The organiser of the event had not applied for a police permit as required. CNA reached out to Lantana Lodge to ask about the lapse, and if any measures will be enhanced going forward, but it declined to comment.

Foreigners who wish to conduct talks in Singapore that are religious, cause-based or political in nature are required to obtain a Miscellaneous Work Pass, MOM said.

It added that an employer or local sponsor needs to apply for the pass for the foreigner.

MHA said it is investigating Amir for preaching without approval. It is also probing the organiser of the event and others involved.

VETTING SPEAKERS

Dormitory operator Centurion Corporation, which oversees about 35,000 migrant workers, most of them from India and Bangladesh, said it has a team that is dedicated to managing events across its nine Westlite dormitories.

“We vet all our events which are being conducted (whether religious or not) in our dorms. We do have a protocol for that,” said dormitory manager Bakurdeen Majid.

“If we receive any requests for religious activities or speeches to be conducted in our dorms, we will reach out to the relevant religious authorities,” he added.

The operator facilitated close to 800 events last year, including excursions, sports activities and mental health and wellbeing talks. 

“In light of this recent incident, we will pay particular attention to new arrivals,” said Mr Bakurdeen.

“We already briefed our new workers that mass gatherings … are not allowed, and they should check with us if there is anything religious that is to be conducted in the dorms.”

The operator also ensures that anyone assuming a religious position at its dorms is checked.

For example, residents who have religious knowledge and educational certificates are vetted by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), said Mr Bakurdeen.

Some of them are then allowed to be imams leading prayers on dormitory premises during Ramadan as well as Hari Raya Haji and Puasa.

The Singapore Bangladesh Society also urged Bangladeshi workers not to be carried away by messages from what it calls “irresponsible speakers”.

Calling the incident “upsetting”, it said those who attended the sermon might have been unaware of the consequences.